Buxus sinica var. insularis - &#39;WEE WILLIE&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of boxwood that originated as a branch sport. The orderly arrangement of leaves on each stem gives this shrub considerable textural interest. This shrub displays excellent hardiness, and its emerald-green leaves retain their color through the winter. This semi-dwarf evergreen shrub displays an upright, dense growth habit, making it suitable for use in small gardens or as a low, formal hedge or border.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention related to a new and distinct cultivar of boxwood, Buxussinica var. insularis (synonym: Buxus microphylla var. koreana) thatoriginated as a branch sport on the variety and was first observed in1990, at Tree Tyme Nursery, Inc. in Austinburg, Ohio. Rooted cuttingshave been propagated by the inventor each year since 1990. The cultivaris distinguished by its decussate leaf arrangement, with successivepairs of leaves rotated 90 degrees on the stem axis from the previouspair. In this arrangement, its foliage resembles that of the box-leavedhebe, Hebe buxifolia, but we know of no other boxwood that displays thisorderly leaf arrangement. Combined with the vertical orientation of thestems, the leaf arrangement gives a unique and attractive texture tothis shrub.

The new cultivar is a dense-growing semi-dwarf broadleaved evergreen,reaching a height and spread of 24 inches by 24 inches in six years froma rooted cutting. This cultivar is propagated from rooted cuttings, andplants propagated by this method consistently and uniformly display theunique characteristics of the original plant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

FIG. 1 shows propagation flat of rooted cuttings. Emerald green leaveswith upright growth habit displaying pubescent stems. 1 year.

FIG. 2 shows propagation flat of rooted cuttings showing decussatearrangement of leaves on stems. 1 year.

FIG. 3 shows rooted cutting in a 1×1 cm pot noting upright growth withdense compact habit. 2 year.

FIG. 4 shows rooted cutting in 1×1 cm pot showing its successive pairsof leaves rotated 90 degrees on the stem axis from the previous pair. 2year 4″

FIG. 5 shows rooted cutting displaying the consistent uniformity of theoriginal plant. 2 year.

FIG. 6 shows rooted cutting displaying the consistent uniformity of theoriginal plant. 2 year.

FIG. 7 shows finished material highlighting the rich emerald green coloragainst its pubescent stems. 3 year 10″×12″

FIG. 8 shows finished material highlighting the rich emerald green coloragainst its pubescent stems. 3 year 10″×12″

FIG. 9 shows finished material highlighting the rich emerald green coloragainst its pubescent stems. 3 year 10″×12″

FIG. 10 shows specimen material. Extraordinary density and texture makesthis shrub an excellent choice for small landscape or low formal hedge.4 year 12″×15″

FIG. 11 shows specimen material. Extraordinary density and texture makesthis shrub an excellent choice for small landscape or low formal hedge.4 year 12″×15″

FIG. 12 shows specimen material. Extraordinary density and texture makesthis shrub an excellent choice for small landscape or low formal hedge.4 year 12″×15″

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Parentage: originated prior to 1990 as a branch sport on a specimen    of Buxus sinica var. insularis.-   Form/size: Compact shrub with upright branches, to two feet in    height by two feet in spread in six years. Mature dimensions are    expected to be consistent.-   Hardiness: Fully hardy in USDA hardiness Zone 5. Probable hardiness    in Zone 4. Has withstood minimum temperature of −20° F. without    injury.-   Growth rate: Slow, average of four inches per year.-   Stems: Medium green the first year, turning to light tan in the    second year, as for the species. Young stems are pubescent.-   Leaves: Evergreen, lanceolate-elliptic with rounded apices and acute    bases. Leaves borne in decussate arrangement on the stem. Leaf    blades 1.5-2 cm. Long and 0.7-1.0 cm wide at the widest point. Leaf    stalks 0.1-0.2 cm in length. Sparse pubescence on midrib and leaf    stalk, the leaf blade otherwise glabrous and glossy on the upper    surface. The color of the upper side of a mature leaf is Green Group    139A (Royal Horticultural Society Color Chart), and the color of the    underside is Yellow-Green Group 146B. The leaf color is retained    well through the winter.-   Flowers: Not seen. Flowers are ornamentally insignificant in    boxwood.-   Fruits: Not produced so far. If produced, should not differ from the    species.-   The new and distinct variety has been named the WEE WILLIE.

1. A new and distinct winter-hardy cultivar of Buxus sinica var.insularis, possessing the following characteristics: a semi dwarfevergreen shrub with decussate leaf arrangement, providing a dense,compact shrub with unique and pleasing texture for use in smalllandscapes, masses and low hedges; substantially as herein shown anddescribed.